Imagination for the Birds
December 26, 2013
Inspirational Art
I met Irene Corman at Synergy this past March. She enthusiastically suggested an article idea of hers which eventually resulted in her sharing her knowledge about teaching polymer art classes in the Fall 2013 issue of The Polymer Arts magazine. Since then, Irene has also answered my call for help in scouting art for the blog and future articles. Her enthusiasm and love of art, not just polymer, has made working with her such a joy.
Irene brought to me this unusual and intriguing artist, Laura Balombini. What a fabulous imagination!
Irene had this to say about why she is drawn to Laura’s work:
“She has created individuality and expression in each bird-form, while controlling any random effects through the simplicity of form and the repetition of each one, holding size and the shape elements that make up each of the birds, constant. Each of the faces and wings differ, creating interest for the viewer, while the even number and placement in 2 rows around the rectangle provide “discipline” for the design. Additional interest comes from the birdlike movement created by the positioning of the heads as they peck, look, stretch their necks, birdlike, yet also, somewhat human in their features. At first glance, the piece has a feel of folk-art, but the naiveté of folk art is transformed into something else when one sees the human features in the faces. The piece seems to tell a story, and also, holds a surprise. Using polymer clay for these forms is an artistic choice that works really well, given its color range, density and malleability.”
Enjoy more of Laura’s imaginative creations on her website.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
Art is a Level Field
April 14, 2013
Ponderings
This Sunday’s thought is rooted in a discussion I overheard while waiting in line at the store. This woman kept speaking of someone’s shortcomings, I think a co-worker. By the time I was checking out I surmised it was likely someone new at their job and this woman was wholly unforgiving of this person’s mistakes. It seemed to be the typical put down others use to elevate themselves when, in anyone else’s eyes, it doesn’t do that at all. However, helping a willing person learn and become better at whatever they need to do should raise both people in the eyes of any empathetic observer–the person helping because of their generosity and the person learning because of their openness to be taught.
We should always keep in mind that someone somewhere is probably better than you at any one thing you do. This is especially true in creative fields. But it’s not even that someone out there will do what you do better, but rather that they will do it differently. There’s no point in anyone thinking of any other artist as being above or below another. Art is a personal journey and the most productive path includes helping those that can learn from you, and you, without ego, willingly learning from those that know what you do not.
I met Irene Corman at Synergy this past March. She enthusiastically suggested an article idea of hers which eventually resulted in her sharing her knowledge about teaching polymer art classes in the Fall 2013 issue of The Polymer Arts magazine. Since then, Irene has also answered my call for help in scouting art for the blog and future articles. Her enthusiasm and love of art, not just polymer, has made working with her such a joy.
Irene brought to me this unusual and intriguing artist, Laura Balombini. What a fabulous imagination!
Irene had this to say about why she is drawn to Laura’s work:
“She has created individuality and expression in each bird-form, while controlling any random effects through the simplicity of form and the repetition of each one, holding size and the shape elements that make up each of the birds, constant. Each of the faces and wings differ, creating interest for the viewer, while the even number and placement in 2 rows around the rectangle provide “discipline” for the design. Additional interest comes from the birdlike movement created by the positioning of the heads as they peck, look, stretch their necks, birdlike, yet also, somewhat human in their features. At first glance, the piece has a feel of folk-art, but the naiveté of folk art is transformed into something else when one sees the human features in the faces. The piece seems to tell a story, and also, holds a surprise. Using polymer clay for these forms is an artistic choice that works really well, given its color range, density and malleability.”
Enjoy more of Laura’s imaginative creations on her website.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
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This Sunday’s thought is rooted in a discussion I overheard while waiting in line at the store. This woman kept speaking of someone’s shortcomings, I think a co-worker. By the time I was checking out I surmised it was likely someone new at their job and this woman was wholly unforgiving of this person’s mistakes. It seemed to be the typical put down others use to elevate themselves when, in anyone else’s eyes, it doesn’t do that at all. However, helping a willing person learn and become better at whatever they need to do should raise both people in the eyes of any empathetic observer–the person helping because of their generosity and the person learning because of their openness to be taught.
We should always keep in mind that someone somewhere is probably better than you at any one thing you do. This is especially true in creative fields. But it’s not even that someone out there will do what you do better, but rather that they will do it differently. There’s no point in anyone thinking of any other artist as being above or below another. Art is a personal journey and the most productive path includes helping those that can learn from you, and you, without ego, willingly learning from those that know what you do not.
Read More
